Nation & World briefs, July 4

Hundreds of firefighters battling a blaze outside the mountain town of Yarnell, Ariz., came off the line yesterday to salute a procession of fire vehicles that had been left by 19 elite Hotshot crew members killed in the line of duty.

The firefighters and law enforcement gathered along a highway to honor the Prescott, Ariz.-based unit deployed last weekend. The vehicles were driven by fellow Prescott firefighters. One of the trucks held backpacks, water jugs and coolers. Another was emblazoned with the group’s motto, in Latin: “To be, rather than to seem.”

Fire crews across the United States also paused throughout the day to remember the Granite Mountain Hotshots and recognize the dangers firefighters face, said Jim Whittington, spokesman for the multiagency Southwest Incident Command Team. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said she would fly Arizona flags at half-staff for 19 days for each firefighter lost.

Gandolfini leaves bulk of estate to his kids

James Gandolfini left the bulk of his estimated $70 million estate to his 13-year-old son and infant daughter.

The late star of HBO’s The Sopranos left millions of dollars to his wife and relatives.

The New York Post reported a will dated Dec. 19 was filed Tuesday in Manhattan Surrogate’s Court.

Gandolfini’s son, Michael, is to get the largest chunk through a trust set aside for him until he turns 21. He’ll split his father’s Italian property with 8-month-old half-sister Liliana when she turns 25.

Michigan

Taco Bell patrons get cash instead of food

That was no burrito.

Three people who ordered food at a Taco Bell drive-thru in western Michigan got something more valuable: $3,600 in cash.

A Taco Bell employee mistakenly passed the cash to the trio instead of their food Saturday. The money was returned a short time later.

Kennidi Rue told WZZM-TV and MLive.com that she and two friends thought about keeping the money but decided they would feel guilty if they didn’t return it. Grand Rapids police Capt. Jeff Hertel confirmed the incident, saying an officer was called to assist.

The money was in a store bag for deposit at a bank. A message seeking comment was left with Taco Bell.

Rue, boyfriend Grant Kruse, 20, and another friend, Luke Postma, 25, got their meal when they returned the money.